Another Short Trip, Another Packing Conundrum

Another short trip, another packing conundrum!

I always find packing for trips a challenge. I enjoy layered outfits—it’s difficult to create a boho-grunge aesthetic without putting in some layering work—and I like having options. I don’t want to wear exactly the same outfit several times during a trip. Plain sportswear doesn’t appeal to me, and a polished capsule wardrobe simply isn’t my style.

At first glance, the answer might seem obvious: pack a bigger bag. But oh no, no. I also can’t abide taking more than carry-on luggage—or returning home with a collection of overpacked things I didn’t use.

But wait, there’s another challenge: I run cold. Very cold. A cloudy, windy 16°C day in the UK may as well be midwinter as far as I’m concerned. That means I don’t just need interesting layers and plenty of variation; I also need to prepare for the possibility of freezing on a summer holiday.

I’ve found that the best way to handle all of this is to pack carefully and start thinking about my outfits well in advance.

Packing for Devon

We have a trip to Devon coming up. The temperature could reach 19°C, but it may also be as cold as 12°C with light rain.

I can get warm when I’m sitting directly in the sun, which means I need outfits that will keep me cool in summer weather but can also take enough layers to get me through what feels like a winter’s day.

To save space, every layer needs to work with every outfit. Each stage of an outfit should look complete on its own and continue to work as more layers are added.

Begin With an Interesting Base

I usually start with an interesting pair of trousers and a cut-up graphic tee. If the T-shirt and trousers provide enough interest between them, I can get away without adding another layer when the weather is warm.

If the outfit still feels as though something is missing, there’s very little that a suede waistcoat won’t fix.

Next comes a long-sleeved tee. This layer needs to work with the trousers, look good over the base T-shirt and feel like a deliberate outfit in its own right—not an afterthought added purely for warmth.

Add a Lightweight Statement Layer

For this trip, the next layer is my Free People Juliette duster.

It doesn’t add a huge amount of warmth, but it brings interest to an outfit, is easy to throw into a bag and can even double as a lightweight dressing gown. I love packing pieces that can do more than one job, particularly when space is limited.

Choose Your Warm Layers Carefully

Depending on the forecast, the next layer will be a jumper or hoodie.

There is one important caveat: if you expect to be cold for most of the trip, you’ll probably want at least two warm layers. Those two pieces should look dramatically different—ideally through their cut, pattern or colour—so that they create genuinely different outfits.

The same principle applies to most of the larger pieces you pack. Trousers are another category where I want my two options to feel distinctly different.

This can be challenging when, like me, you stick to a very specific colour palette across your entire wardrobe. However, you can create plenty of variation using the same colours in different patterns, textures or dramatically different shapes.

I digress. For this trip, I decided that one warm layer would be enough. That one piece therefore needs to work with every other outfit I’ve selected.

Don’t Forget the Coat

Your coat has to pass the same test: it should work over every outfit and with every combination of layers.

I’ll usually travel in a lightweight coat, such as my French chore coat. As we’re travelling by car on this trip, I’ll also pack a raincoat. It gives me another practical option without forcing me to carry everything through an airport.

Try Everything On

This is the most important part: try everything on before it goes into the bag.

Begin with each base outfit, then add the layers one at a time. Make sure the outfit works at every stage—from the lightest version for sitting in the sun to the fully layered version for a cold, windy or rainy day.

It’s much better to discover at home that a sleeve bunches awkwardly under a jumper, a duster doesn’t sit properly beneath a coat or two seemingly compatible colours don’t quite work together.

Finally, add a scarf and hat. They take up very little room for the amount of warmth they provide. The same is true of a pair of thin thermal leggings, which can be worn invisibly underneath trousers when the temperature drops.

For me, successful packing isn’t about creating the smallest possible capsule wardrobe or accepting that I’ll wear the same outfit every day. It’s about choosing pieces carefully enough that I can have warmth, variety and a style that still feels like mine—all within a carry-on bag.

What I Packed

Trousers

• Brown Quinn trousers — Free People
• Abstract blue balloon trousers — TU Clothing
• Brown and gold track pants — Adidas

T-shirts and Base Layers

• Vintage-cut olive MTV T-shirt
• Vintage-cut beige Black Sabbath T-shirt
• Vintage-cut brown MTV T-shirt
• Solani long-sleeved top, dyed brown — Free People
• Olive off-the-shoulder long-sleeved T-shirt — ASOS

Statement Layers

• Juliette duster, dyed brown — Free People
• Vintage Baja hoodie — Corona
• Gold Jem dress — Never Fully Dressed

Outerwear

• Brown chore jacket — Le Mont St Michel
• Brown wax raincoat — Driza-Bone

Barefoot Shoes

• Khaki barefoot water shoes — Unicorn
• Nomada barefoot leather boots — El Naturalista

Bags

• Brown Angelica soft-nappa bag — Mulberry
• Khaki XL multi-position bag — Desigual

Accessories

• Olive check wide scarf — Burberry
• Dark green wool beanie — Donegal Wools